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Reviews tagging 'Ableism'
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, Volume 1 by Dusti Bowling
18 reviews
witcheep's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is my first time reading a book from Dusti Bowling, and I definitely think it won’t be the last time I read her work.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus does an excellent job of conveying life as a disabled person navigating adolescence. With a spunky MC, you can’t help but root for Aven as she adjusts to her family moving to a run-down amusement park in Arizona. I felt that Bowling did a great job with Aven’s character development, especially taking note with addressing Aven’s disability and how Aven’s lived experience as a disabled person interacts with others in the book (for example, considering the ableism Aven and Connor have faced in their lives). While some of the side/minor characters did pile up a bit (mainly with Aven naming all the employees at Stagecoach Pass) and readers can get lost, the core group of side characters is balanced and given their own time to shine.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I think Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus would be a good read for those looking for contemporary fiction with hints of mystery narrated through a spirited MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Dementia, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
mdavis26's review against another edition
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Dementia, and Abandonment
gdobson's review against another edition
Horrific disability rep at times, esp sanism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
allisonwatkins's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
fyziksgirl's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I love disability lit and wanted to love this book, but it was so full of ableism I could not. The ongoing message throughout most of the book is about how a disabled person is better the more they can act like they're not disabled. It even borders on inspiration porn at times. Then she makes a friend with Tourettes and immediately treats him as a project to be fixed, plowing right over any boundaries he sets.
There are many great disability lit books out there, but as a disabled parent of disabled kids, this is not one. We had to repeatedly stop and talk about how it's not bad to use available supports and how disabled people have worth even when they are limited in what they can do.
There are many great disability lit books out there, but as a disabled parent of disabled kids, this is not one. We had to repeatedly stop and talk about how it's not bad to use available supports and how disabled people have worth even when they are limited in what they can do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
whitne_ey's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Body shaming, and Alcohol
starla_anne's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Fatphobia
nnia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, and Dementia
orizenda's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book made me remember how much I loved reading as a kid. I would have loved this book as a kid. I want to spend more time with Aven.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Dementia, and Death of parent